Closure structure



Feb. 8, 1955 J. 'r. VOORHEIS 2,701,660

CLOSURE STRUCTURE Filed June 27, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 8, 1955 J.T. VOORHEIS ,660

CLOSURE STRUCTURE Filed June 2'7, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIE'I IEI I N VEN TOR. ./05a,afi 7' war/refs Feb. 8, 1955 J. T. VOORHEIS 2,701,660

CLOSURE STRUCTURE Filed June 27, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United StatesPatent I 2,701,660 Fatented Feb. 8, 1955 lice CLOSURE STRUCTURE JosephT. Voorheis, Piedmont, Calif., assignor to The Coen Company, SanFrancisco, Calif., a corporation of California Application June 27,1949, Serial No. 101,661

3 Claims. (Cl. 22055) My invention relates to liquid straining means,particularly fuel strainers, and especially of the nature disclosed inmy co-pending application filed August 20, 1948, with Serial No. 45,370.

Fuel strainers of this type include a body incorporated in a flowingfuel line and provided with a pair of alternately used fuel filters orstrainers. Since the line is usually under a subor super-atmosphericpressure, there is provided a valving means for excluding one of themembers while its filter or strainer is removed and cleaned and replacedand for then including the cleaned mechanism in the pressure line whilethe alternate structure is in turn serviced. Means are provided forrelieving the mechanism being serviced from pressure and subsequentlyfor restoring it to line pressure. This involves breaking or opening theseals to the mechanism, and normally requires a good deal of fasteningmechanism to resist the pressures securely, to preclude leakage, and toensure that no liquid escapes from the system or that no air undulyleaks into it in the event the pressure is negative.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a fuel strainerclosure readily sealed against the normal positive or negative workingpressure, yet in which the seal is quickly and easily broken for aservicing operation.

-Another object of my invention is to provide a fuel strainer closurewhich can readily be removed from its normal position and can as readilybe replaced in position for a continued operation.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a strainer closurein which only usual tools or in some cases no tools at all are necessaryfor removing and replacing the closure element.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a closure in whichthe parts are well protected against damage or mishandling when removedfrom their normal operating position.

A further object of the invention is in general to provide an improvedfuel strainer closure.

Other objects together with the foregoing are attained in the embodimentof the invention described in the accompanying description andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure lis a plan of one form of fuel strainer closure of my invention,a part of the structure, however, being disclosed in cross-section on atransverse plane.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 1 with apart of the mechanism being disclosed in section on a vertical plane.

Figure 3 is a part elevation and a part cross-section on the line'3--3of Figure 1. v

Figure 4 is a plan view somewhat similar to Figure 1 but showing adifferent form of fuel strainer closure of my invention.

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the structure shown in Figure 4 but withparts disclosed in cross-section on a transverse, vertical plane.

While the fuel strainer closure of my invention can readily beincorporated in numerous different forms depending partially on theenvironment in which it is to be utilized and depending partially onother design criteria, it has been successfully embodied in the twoforms shown herein. In the larger form illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and3, there is generally disclosed a fuel strainer of the sort described indetail in my mentioned co-pending application.

The fuel strainer itself preferably is intended for incorporation in afuel line under a positive pressure greater than atmospheric, althoughit can equally well be in-, cluded in a liquid line normally operatingat or under atmospheric pressure. In either case, there is provided aninlet connector 5 leading into a central valve body 6, usually acomplete closure provided with a removable cover 7 fastened by studs andnuts 8. Leading from the valve chamber 6 is an outlet connector 11 sothat flow through the chamber is facilitated.

Preferably located at either side of the valve chamber 6 and connectedthereto by conduits 12 and 13 are strainer housings 16 and 17respectively. Since the housings are identical, a description of one ofthem applies equally to the other. The housing 17, for example, ispreferably a circular-cylindrical fabricated body disposed with its itsupper end terminates in a circular-cylindrical wall 24' having a machinefinished circular-cylindrical interior bore 26. The position of the wall24 is such that the housing 17 readily accommodates a filter or strainer27 provided with a central enlargement 28 seated on a barrier wall 29 sothat flow through the conduits 12 and 13 necessarily passes through thestrainer to accomplish the strainmg IunCtlQIl.

in particular accordance with my invention, the encular-cylindrical bore26 is provided with a plug 31 designed to be rather freely slidable inthe bore 26 and normally to be located so that the lower wall 32 of theplug serves as an abutment for a spring 33 likewise abutting thestrainer 27 and serving as a positioning element. The

plug 32 around its periphery is formed with a groove 34 in which asuitable sealing means 36, such as an O-ring of rubber or comparablematerial, is lodged. The ring 36 not only engages the plug itself butlikewise engages the housing, in that it is in contact with the interiorbore ofthe wall 24. This sealing means precludes fluid flow of any sortin either direction between the exterior and the interior of thehousing.

The plug 31 is centrally extended to constitute a boss- 37 projectingupwardly and being formed with a shoulder 38 at the junction of the bossand an extended hub 39;

The shoulder provides a seat for a skirt 41, preferably fabricated ofrelatively lighter material and securely fastened to the plug after theplug has been separately made.

The skirt is preferably fastened to the plug adjacent the junction ofthe boss 37 and the hub 39. The skirt 41 not only includes a disc-likeportion overlying the end of the wall 24 but also includes acircular-cylindrical portion 42 fitting rather freely over the outsideof the wall 24 and extending downwardly or axially along the wall to aslightly greater extent than does the main body of the plug 31. Thus,when the plug 31 is axially or slidably removed from its position withinthe housing, the exterior-- face of the plug adjacent the ring 36 isprotected by theskirt from contact with objects which might spoilthemachined surface or the ring.

The skirt 41 is also inclusive of a combined guard and.

handle including a pair of uprights 43 and 44 upstanding from the skirtand joined by a tube 46. This not only affords a convenient grip for auser, but also, with the iljpr ights, serves as a guard for themechanism spanned y it.

In order normally to hold the plug 31 in its sealing position securelyagainst the force of different pressures;

outside of and withinthe' housing, I provide the mechanism with afastening in the shape of a U-pin 51. This conveniently comprises a rodbent upon itself to provide a hand portion 52 and a pair of legs 53 and54 of unequal length. In addition, stops or washers 56 are welded to thelegs 53 and 54 to serve as positioning abutments. The U-pin is passedthrough aligned apertures 57 and 58 on one side of the skirt and similarapertures on the other side of the skirt. Furthermore, the U-pin also ispassed through aligned chordal apertures 59 and 61 on one side of thewall 24, these apertures being substantially in registry with theapertures 57 and 58 in the skirt. There are also comparable pinaccommodating apertures on the other side of the wall in registrysubstantially with the apertures on that side of the skirt.

The pin 5l-"ean readily be withdrawn from its position as shown inFigure 1, thereby freeing the plug 31 for-"sliding movement. By theinitial -insertion of the longer leg 54 into the registered apertures inthe skirt and the wall, the pin can be restored to the position shown inFigure-1 with the abutments 56 stopping its 'motion in acohvenientlocation. In that location, the legs of the-U- pin"*'s'pan-theplug 31 in-contact with the upper surface thereof and aredisposed alongside of the'centralboss 37. Pressure with'in the'chamber slides theplug31 until it abuts the-pin legs so that the force exerted upon the plugis 'transmitted to-the-wall f the housing. Since a large areaof supportis thus provided, the mechanism can be made relatively light and-easy tohandle. If desired, the number of legs in the U pin-can' be increased byduplicating the pin in an axial direction or otherwise in order morewidelyto distribute the load. In an-ycase, the plug is-retained'merely'by the readily withdrawn pin which, When'in-position, provides a fir-mblock for limiting sliding movement-ofthe plug.

Since the-housing usually operates under pressure, means are'providedeither for relieving the pressure v'v'ithfinthe chamber beforeremoval of the pin 51 and the block-3'1, or 'during'restorationof thepartst-o their operating'- position, for permitting-air within thehousing to e's'cape' as the plug'i's slid into position. For thatreason, thereis'provided through the plug 31 a central or axialpassageway sl lea'dingto anaperture 62 of small cr-osssectional area,flow through which is controlled by a screw'heedle valve' '63 providedwith a thumb piece-6'4. An outlet 66 from the passage passes through'the'side of the-hub 39. The user, by manipulating the screw 63, opensOr cltJsesthe passageway "61 so that the pressure withinth'e charnbercanbe equalized with the atmosphere jilstpfi'or-to or during movcmentofthe plug 31.

'Sin'ce the housings 16 and 17 --are used alternately, thereisprovide'd-a means for preventingthe opening of the'particular housingwhich is immediately in use in the liquid line. This means'is similar tothat shown in my copending application and 'in general includes anextensible member 7-1 having a screwcomponent 72 for adjusting itsl'e'n'gth. One end-'of'the'extensible member 'is formed as a -ri'ng-73'which can be slipped over the hub lay-Whereas the other end is somewhatloosely connected by a pin 74 to a radial arm 76-con'trolling theoperation ofthevalving structure "77 Within the valve chamber-6.Sincethis structure is 'notpart 'of the present invention, it isnot-described in"det'ail. -It operates toisola-te'either oneor'thetother-of-the chambers Mind '17, and in order thatthe -v-alvinginterconnection canbe changed, it is first iiedessary to remove the ring73 'of'the extensible memberffrojm the hub "39. This makes it'impossible'to remove the plug 31frorn"a'chamber untiland unless thatchamber has? previously been put out "of "communication with'theliquidfline. I I

"In "the "modifieatio'nof 'the "invention shown in Figures 4 and Sth'estructur'e'is comparable except thata different type of valvlngmechanism "is utilizedand' thepartsare somewhat smaller-and lighter. Inthis "arrangement, the

two strainer housings 8'l and 82 are placed in'communh cation with*th'e"inlet83='and the outlet '84of the line "by means of" a plug cock'86 controlled by a; handle 87 at the lower extremity of theassembly."A'radial"arm:'88 mfounted"o'n the upper extension89 of the c-o'ckfis.provided w h an extensible mechanism .91 for engagement witheither o'neorthe'other'ofthe'hubs 92 of the closures. 'lfhe eonstruction of-thechambers themselves is otherwisesubstantiallyidentical with that shownintheprevious modification as is that of thefilters or strainers. Aressure 'f'sprin'g 93fe'on'tac'ting the lower face of the plug9'6h01dsthefilteror strain'erinp'lace.

'without' likelihood "of'leakager'n 'ordinaryscrvice, yet in which bythe simple withdrawal of the plug from the housing or casing, themechanism is laid open for easy rem-oval of the strainer. The parts canas readily be restored in the reverse order. The use of special wrenchesor tools is obviated, and-the time involved in servicing the trainers isreduced. Additionally, the cost of manufacture is favorable and 'theoperating "characteristics of the mechanism are improved.

I claim:

1. A fuel strainer closure comprising a strainer housing having anoutlet defined by a cylindrical body having an axial cylindrical boretherein, said body having a plurality of pairs of aligned chord-a1apertures therein adjacent its outer end, a plug outwardly slidable insaid bore, said plug having an annular groove around its periphery, asealing device in said groove engaging the Wall of said bore, -a boss onthe outer face of said-plug, a skirt secured to the outer endpf-s-aidhoss and ex'tending across said here and around the outerendofsaid body, said skirt having apertures therein aligned with saidpairs of 'chordal apertures, and 'a U-pin having a pair 0f parallellegs-passing through respective ones of said aligned apertures andsp'anning sai'd bore for blocking out-ward s1iding:movementofsaid=plug.

2. A fuel strainer closure comprisinga strainer housing having an outletdefined 'by a I cylindrical body having an'axi'al cy lindricalb-o'retherein, said bodyhaving chord'al apertures-thereinnear its outerend,-a plug slidablein-said bore, said plug having an annular groovearound its periphery, an O-ring in sa-id'groove engaging thewall of saidbore, a boss 'on the outer face of said plug, a skirt secured on theou'terend of saidboss =andencompassing said wall, said skirthavingapertures "therein aligned with said chordal apertures, and a .Upin-passing through all of said apertures and spanning said bore alongsidesaid bloss for blocking-outward sliding movement-ofsaid p ug.

3. A rapidly operable :closure arrangement -'comprising a cylindricalbody having an axial cylindrical bore-therein, said body 'beingopenat'oneend and-having aplurality of pairs of aligned chordalaperturesnear-said end, a closure plug slidably disposed inrsaidbore, saidclosure plug having a deformable sealing means about its peripheryengaging said here, and a *U-pin having a :pair of parallel legs passingthrough said-alignedchordal apertures and spanning said bore'outwardlyof-said plug whereby said'closure plug is blocked from-outward slidmgmovement.

References Cited in the Yfile of this patent UNITED STATES'PATENTS405,054 Sexton June '11, .1889 710,060 vKann .Sept. 30, 1902 1,029,666Campbell June .18, .1912 1,607,579 hompsomllr. .Nov. :16, 1926 1 ;6 83102 Sanf'tleben Sept-4,. 1928 1,725,288 .Lyttle :et al.. Aug. 20, 19291,997,291 lBarroll :Apr. 9, .1935 2,436,407 Stephens -.Feb.;2 4, 1948'FOREIGNYPATENTS 96,350 Austria Mar. 10, 1924 677,132 7 Germany June 19,1939 553,724 Great Britain -'Iune"2, 1 943

